Bringing Pussy Willows Indoors
The furry catkins of pussy willows are one of spring's earliest harbingers - their branches shimmer in the moist to wet soil near meadows, swamps, and streams. Sometimes the furry twigs can be seen even when there's still snow on the ground.
Last week, I asked my gardener, Matt Orrego, to cut lots of long, straight pussy willow branches from a grove I planted along the wetlands behind my main greenhouse. These deciduous shrubs naturally grow up to 20-feet tall, or even more if left unpruned. They are very easy to multiply and make wonderful cut arrangements. I always collect big bunches to make dramatic displays for my home.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
-
- Pussy willow is a common name given to many smaller species of the genus, Salix. During this time of year, fuzzy nubs start to appear along the branches of pussy willows. These soft silver tufted plants are named for their resemblance to tiny cats’ paws, but these are actually the flowers just before they fully bloom. The soft coating of hairs acts as insulation to protect these early bloomers from cold temperatures.
-
- Some pussy willows have very large, furry catkins.
-
- While other varieties have smaller catkins. This is ‘Purple Heirloom’. It has attractive blonde bark, thin grassy stems, and lots of small dark purple catkins.
-
- My pussy willow grove is located in a field where there is room for them to flourish. Pussy willows grow in almost any kind of moist soil and thrive best in full sun, but while they don’t take up a lot of space, their roots can be quite invasive, so don’t plant them near water lines or septic systems.
-
- Although they can be allowed to grow unpruned, pussy willows will benefit from regular pruning after blooming. Pruning makes picking reachable and quick. These pussy willows are pruned every couple of years.
-
- And they’re pruned hard to encourage the plants to produce new shoots from the bases and divert energy from the older, less productive branches.
-
- Here are neat bunches of pruned branches waiting to be discarded.
-
- Matthew assesses the length and growth of these pussy willow offshoots. The ones he cuts will be used for indoor arrangements. I prefer the straightest and longest branches and asked for some that were six to seven feet and then some that were about five to six feet long.
-
- Once Matthew has a good number of pussy willow branches, he brings them back to the greenhouse for tying.
-
- Each grouping is tied together using jute twine. We use jute twine for many projects here at the farm. Jute is a long, soft, shiny fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced from flowering plants in the genus Corchorus, which is in the mallow family Tiliaceae.
-
- Matthew ties the bunches in two places to ensure they are well secured. The arrangements will remain tied in the container for added support.
-
- Matthew gathered some nice branches – three bunches in all. Now they’re ready to take to my Winter House.
-
- Matthew carefully brings these bunches into my Brown Room where they will be arranged in one pot.
-
- Matthew places each bunch into the pot one at a time.
-
- It is important that the branches go in deep. Matthew also checks to make sure everything is centered and secure.
-
- The twigs are flexible. They need to be snug in their container, so they remain upright.
-
- Matthew then looks at the arrangement and trims any branches that are sticking out. The base of the branch remains to help support the bundle in the pot.
-
- Discarded branches are neatly placed on a sheet nearby. This will be easy to take out after the project is done.
-
- Here is the finished arrangement. The pussy willows will keep their upright position. I love making large arrangements for use indoors – the bigger, the better!
-
- Here is another one on the other side of the room. Nothing is touching the window shades or any surfaces that could be scratched.
-
- And here is a third. All of them look so wonderful. And they can last for several weeks. Cutting branches for indoor displays is an excellent use of these pussy willow catkins.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
